San Luis Obispo FFA member Andrea Cao says her love of horses and agriculture drew her to FFA, and her desire to help her mother led her to become an entrepreneur. Andrea and her mother created a self-acupressure tool that has spawned a company with $1 million-plus sales thanks to support from “Shark Tank” investors. Read more about Andrea and Q-Flex in the Summer 2016 issue of FFA New Horizons.

This interview aired on the May 21, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Kelsey Litchfield introduces us to former Michigan state FFA president Alexandria Schut, who talks about her decision to leave her home state to attend Oklahoma State University. Alexandria says the skills she developed by showing livestock and being involved in FFA give her confidence to take advantage of opportunities – even those outside of her comfort zone. Read more about Alexandria in the Summer 2016 issue of FFA New Horizons.

This interview aired on the May 21, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Mark Poeschl will start his new role as chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation on Aug. 1, 2016. Currently a vice president with Cargill, Inc., the former Nebraska state FFA president says FFA has played a significant role in his personal development and in his career. Two of Poeschl’s goals for National FFA are supporting agricultural education and developing talent for the industry of agriculture.

This interview aired on the May 14, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Janette Barnard, 2006-07 National FFA Vice President-Western Region, says FFA was a part of her family culture in southeastern Arizona. Janette was an active member of the Willcox FFA Chapter in high school, and during her year as a national officer, she says her horizons were broadened by interacting with people from different walks of life. She is now the founder and CEO of The Poultry Exchange, a start-up business that connects commercial buyers and sellers of poultry.

This interview aired on the May 14, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Jason Chester, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at West Rowan High School in Mt. Ulla, N.C., was named the 2015 NAAE Region 5 Outstanding Agriculture Teacher. Jason did not come from an agricultural background, but he discovered his passion for teaching and for agriculture when he enrolled in agriculture classes in high school. He says agriculture teachers “have the best job in the world.”

This interview aired on the May 14, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

The West Perry School District in Elliottsburg, Pa., is facing a $3.1 million deficit, which could result in the elimination of one of the agricultural education teacher positions. Current and former students explain how having two ag ed teachers gives students the opportunity to experience different perspectives and a variety of courses.

This interview aired on the May 14, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

2014-15 California State FFA President Dipak Kumar says his year as a state officer was “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life.” Dipak headed east to attend college, and he is now a student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He encourages all FFA members to take advantage of “what we are given” (the title of his retiring address).

This interview aired on the May 7, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Gary Kirk was an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Cheyenne High School in Oklahoma for 35 years. He says his philosophy of teaching came from an “old ag teacher” who told him, “I teach ‘em about life, and if there’s any time left, I teach ‘em about agriculture.” Two of Mr. Kirk’s former students – U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and Devon Energy executive Allen Wright – talk about the impact he had on their lives. (From Oklahoma Horizon)

This interview aired on the May 7, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.